الفهرس 
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Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM), as the most prevalent metabolic disorder, is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and blood lipid and protein disorders. Among diabetes’ complications, different types of foot problems such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and diabetic foot infections (DFI) which are common and have shown an increasing trend in the past decade.
Some studies have shown 15% of diabetic patients will be suffering from diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) during their lifetime. Diabetic foot ulcer is the most general cause of hospitalization in diabetic patients. On the other hand, these ulcers can lead to infection, gangrene, amputation and even death if the necessary care is not provided. In addition, lower extremity amputation (LEA) is associated with prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation and also is required to home care and social support.
The pedal manifestations of diabetes are well documented and potentially limb-threatening when left untreated. Early recognition of risk factors and proper evaluation and treatment of these risk factors require the skill of specialists to diagnose, manage, treat, and counsel the patient. Diabetic patients at risk for foot lesions must be educated about risk factors and when combined with a comprehensive approach to preventive foot care, patient education can reduce the frequency and morbidity of limb threatening diabetic foot lesions.
Approximately 82% of lower extremity amputations are performed on patients with diabetes, most of which follows foot ulceration. The pathway to ulceration and finally lower extremity amputation may include essential contribution from underlying diabetes-related pathophysiology (neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), foot deformity and limited joint mobility), initiating environments (trauma), subsequent infection, and healing complications. Apart from its causes, all attempts should be made to avoid amputation once diabetic foot ulcer has developed or presents itself in the hospital.
This work aimed at studying the risk factors for lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in Alexandria, Egypt. The study period was from June 2016 to March 2017.
The present study included 200 subjects with diabetic foot ulcers. They were divided into 2 groups. group I included 100 subjects with diabetic foot ulcers who had undergone at least one lower extremity amputation and group II included 100 subjects with diabetic foot ulcers who had never undergone lower extremity amputation to represent